A look back at the convicted serial killer who put Epping, NH on the map

Who is Sheila LaBarre? (The Facts)

With the help of this Timeline of Sheila LaBarre, information from sources, research from court documents, and the books “Wicked Intentions,” by Kevin Flynn and “The Burn Farm,” by Micheal Benson, I’ve outlined Labarre’s life in Epping, NH.

Sheila LaBarre, 54, is currently serving two life sentences without parole, after being found guilty for the first-degree murders of Michael Deloge, 38, and Kenneth Countie, 24. LaBarre is now behind bars in Lowell Correctional Institution in Ocala, Florida., according to this Union Leader article.

LaBarre, aka. “Sheila the Peeler,” moved from Alabama to Epping, NH., in the Spring of 1987, after answering a personal ad. from the lonely Dr. Wilfred LaBarre, a Hampton Chiropractor 34 years her senior. She immediately moved into his 115-acre horse farm and changed her last name from Jennings to LaBarre. (Short recap)

It wasn’t a happy “common law” marriage, neighbors and acquaintances said Dr. LaBarre even feared for his life. While living under his roof, Sheila LaBarre married Wayne Ennis and had many boyfriends. According to Ennis the relationship was abusive, he even claims Sheila LaBarre asked him to murder Dr. LaBarre for her. (Read full story here)

In 1998, Sheila LaBarre was charged with 2nd-degree assault to one of those boyfriends, according to Rockingham Superior Court documents. The alleged charge said LaBarre stabbed her boyfriend James Bracket in the head with scissors.

In December of 2000, Sheila LaBarre took sole ownership of the farm property after the passing of Dr. LaBarre, 74. Family and locals still speculate the cause of death, though the autopsy revealed it was due to heart complications.

Troubles with boyfriend Bracket continued in 2002 when she tried running him over with a car. Then in 2003 she scratched his face and shot a gun at him. Today Bracket is happy just to be alive, with a NH license plate that reads, “ALIVE.” Kevin Flynn’s book “Wicked Intentions,” details their abusive relationship here.

In the Fall of 2005, LaBarre committed her first known murder to Deloge. He fit the stereotype of LaBarre’s hired help, being a relatively unknown “loner,” in the Epping community. He was also a developmentally challenged man, who met LaBarre at a homeless shelter in 2004. They quickly began dating and he moved into the farm. Soon after, Deloge went missing on July 27, 2004. Deloge’s stepfather Gordon Boston shares their history here.

It wasn’t until 2006, when Countie went missing, that LaBarre became a serious suspect for Deloge’s disappearance. Countie also fit the profile of LaBarre’s typical victims, (mentally slow and unknown) when he met her through a dating service on Valentines Day. Countie was especially vulnerable because he suffered from a form of autism that left him with the mental capacity of a 12-year-old.

Countie’s mother, Carolynn Lodge, filed her first missing-person report on February 24, worried after her son had suddenly stopped calling and visiting. Epping Police followed protocol, but saw nothing out of the ordinary when they visited a healthy Countie, who wanted to be with Sheila.

On March 17, Countie was seen in public for the last time at the Epping Walmart. LaBarre carted around a pallid and feeble looking Countie. She claimed she was his wife as she piled diesel fuel tanks on his cart.

On March, 25 the police were issued their first exterior search warrant after discovering what appeared to be a human bone during a “well being” check the previous night. (Court records from case)

LaBarre felt the police closing in as more search warrants were issued and the evidence continued to pile up. The police found remnants of blood all over the house, clothes of Deloge, and older burn pits also containing blood.

An arrest warrant was issued on March 31, 2006, but LaBarre had already managed to get out of town with $85,000. After receiving rides from truck driving strangers, whom she rewarded with sex, LaBarre was arrested on April 2, in Revere, Massachusetts.

In February of 2008, Sheila LaBarre changed her plea to not guilty by reason of insanity. LaBarre’s defense team convinced her it would be in her best interest to confess to the murders of Deloge and Countie, but to claim she was crazy when she did it.

The jury deliberated for almost 13 hours after listening to the case for about six weeks. Finally, the verdict concluded LaBarre was guilty on both accounts, and sentenced to life in prison without parole for first-degree murder. According to this article, from the Nashua Telegraph, LaBarre was pleased when she was found sane. Boston defense lawyer remembers a startling reaction.

“Sheila LaBarre was absolutely crazy,” Denner is quoted saying in that Nashua Telegraph story. “She was so crazy that she wanted to be found guilty. She was thrilled.”

Watch LaBarre’s sentencing below.

If LaBarre had been found insane, she would have been sent to a psychiatric housing unit at a state prison, and every five years she would be re-evaluated by a judge who would determine if she was ready to be released. According to that same article.